10 Great Fishing Piers in South Carolina

If your vacation plans include spending time with your rod and reel, you won't have any trouble finding a scenic spot in South Carolina to throw out your lure. And you don't need a boat to get to deep water.

Fishing piers can be found across the state, offering shorebound anglers a solid platform for casting and a built-in structure that attracts bait fish and their sought-after predators.

Many of the fishing piers along the coast feature amenities like restrooms, seating, bait shops, lighting and even restaurants. Inland, the selection includes shaded docks overlooking quiet lakes where you can reel in everything from largemouth bass to bluegill.

A South Carolina fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older whether you're fishing in saltwater or freshwater. You can pick one up at tackle shops, sporting goods stores and some discount chain stores like Walmart

Here are 10 awesome fishing piers in South Carolina:

1. Apache Fishing Pier

At 1,206 feet, this Myrtle Beach favorite claims title to the longest wood fishing pier on the East Coast. The full-service facility offers rod rental packages, bait and even a photographer to capture your trophy fish fresh out of the water. 

2. Darwin H. Wright Park

The fishing pier at this Anderson park offers visitors to the Upstate the chance to ply the bass-rich waters of Lake Hartwell. Along with black, striped and hybrid bass, the 56,000-acre reservoir is a hot spot for black crappie and bream.

3. Old Pitt Street Bridge

Built in the 1920s to connect Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island, the bridge was closed in 1945 and is now part of the Pickett Bridge Recreation Area overlooking Cove Inlet and Charleston Harbor. High tide or low tide, this public pier is prime fishing grounds for flounder, redfish and whiting.

4. Broad River Fishing Pier

Located on the Broad River, the 720-foot pier is a remnant of the old bridge that once spanned this wide Beaufort waterway. Recently renovated, it features picnic tables, restrooms and lighting for nighttime fishing. Bring along shrimp or finger mullet to catch live bait fish right from the pier.

5. Mount Pleasant Pier

Part of Memorial Waterfront Park, the 1,250-foot concrete public pier was built on the pilings of the old Pearman Bridge. The structure stretches into Charleston Harbor near the mouth of the Cooper River and includes bench swings, picnic tables, tackle sales, rod rentals and a snack bar

6. Charles C. Haig, Jr. Fishing Pier

Fish the deeper waters of the Intracoastal Waterway from this public pier located on Pinckney Island between Hilton Head Island and the mainland. It's a popular fishing venue for redfish, flounder, sea trout and sheepshead.

7. Lake Warren

If you're looking for a quiet spot with pretty scenery to wet your line, this 200-acre fishing hole in Hampton County checks all the boxes. The fishing pier at Lake Warren State Park offers access to the largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish that call the lake home. The park also has a dock overlooking a two-acre pond.

8. Folly Beach Fishing Pier

This iconic pier, which first opened in 1995, is being replaced with an all new structure. The Lowcountry landmark is the second-longest pier on the East Coast. It sits 23 feet above sea level and features a 7,500-square-foot diamond-shaped pierhead and gazebo. The pier is expected to be competed in spring 2023. During the construction, the gift shop and observation deck will remain open. Amenities include a tackle shop, restaurant and bar, restrooms, showers and changing rooms. 

9. Hunting Island Pier

Part of Hunting Island State Park, this one lays claim to the southernmost full-service pier in South Carolina. The 1,120-foot structure juts out into Fripp Inlet between Fripp Island and Hunting Island. The catch of the day can include black drum, redfish, striped bass, spotted sea trout, whiting and croaker. The nature center near the park's entrance lends basic angling gear on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Santee State Park

A lovely fishing spot in well-known Santee Cooper Country, Santee State Park offers a handicapped-accessible pier for anglers looking to reel in some of Lake Marion's famed trophy-sized catfish. Other species to target include largemouth and striped bass, bream and crappie.